Kidnap: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used when referring to taking someone away illegally, often with the demand of a ransom or for some criminal activity.

• The pirates threatened to kidnap the wealthy tourists
• The child was kidnapped on her way home from school

Also refers to taking someone away illegally, but it can be used in a wider range of situations, not necessarily involving a ransom. More formal than 'kidnap'.

• She was abducted by a stranger while walking in the park
• Alien abduction stories are common in science fiction

Often used in military or competitive contexts to mean taking someone or something by force or strategy. Unlike 'kidnap' and 'abduct', 'capture' can also refer to objects or goals, not just people.

• The soldiers managed to capture the enemy base
• He captured the gold medal in the competition

To take hold of something quickly and forcefully, often used in legal, military, or policing contexts. Can refer to both people and things.

• The police seized the illegal drugs during the raid
• The government decided to seize the assets of the corrupt official

Used when someone takes another person, usually a child, away illegally, often demanding money for their return. It is often used in news reports and crime stories.

• The police are searching for the child who was kidnapped from her home.
• The movie is about a group of criminals who kidnap a wealthy businessman.

Used in a more formal or legal context to describe the act of taking someone away by force or deceit. It can refer to both children and adults and is commonly used in legal and media reports.

• The abduction of the young woman took place in broad daylight.
• Authorities are investigating the abduction of several tourists from the national park.

Used more commonly in medical or legal contexts. In terms of people, it means taking them by force, often by authorities or in the context of war or conflict. It is also widely used to describe a medical condition when someone has a sudden attack or convulsion.

• The military reported the seizure of enemy combatants during the raid.
• After the seizure of the hostages, negotiations began immediately.